preemption

or pre-emp·tion

[ pree-emp-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or right of claiming or purchasing before or in preference to others.
2. Law.
   1. Also called fed·e·ral pre·emp·tion. the doctrine that federal law takes precedence over state law when the two conflict.
   2. Also called state pre·emp·tion. the doctrine that state law takes precedence over local law, such as county or municipal legislation, when the two conflict.
3. Military. a policy of attacking first when there is imminent threat of attack by an enemy, or an enactment of this policy: The possibility of preemption is of grave concern to several Pentagon officials.

   Preemption only works if there is sufficient intelligence capacity.

   The possibility of preemption is of grave concern to several Pentagon officials.

Word History and Origins

Origin of preemption¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Medieval Latin praeëmpt(us) “bought beforehand” (past participle of praeëmere ) + -ion; pre-, emptor; redeem ( def )

Example Sentences

“I’m really hoping that we can avoid preemption.”

From Seattle Times

“However, we feel that section 3’s preemption language, combined with the possibility of alcohol, increases the likelihood of criminal activity.”

From Seattle Times

Despite multiple recent attempts to undo the ban, the bill, if passed, would be a so-called “trigger law” and only go into effect in the event that the state repealed the preemption.

From Seattle Times

This year, state Democratic lawmakers introduced a pair of bills: one to remove the preemption law passed in 1981 and one to enact a milder version of rent control statewide.

From Seattle Times

After oral arguments, many legal observers and labor rights activists prepared for the worst, foreseeing a complete shutdown of this Garmon preemption doctrine that would open strikers everywhere to a flurry of lawsuits.

From Salon